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Disability support worker Complex Healthcare Anaphylaxis

What Do the ASCIA Adrenaline Device Changes Mean for Disability Support Workers?

Deb Stone RN. Director Clinical Services
Deb Stone RN. Director Clinical Services
What Do the ASCIA Adrenaline Device Changes Mean for Disability Support Workers?
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As part of our ongoing commitment to strong clinical governance and evidence-based practice, Medecs is providing an important update for disability, aged care, community, and health services regarding recently approved adrenaline devices that may now appear on individual ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis.

This update is designed to support organisational readiness, workforce confidence, and safe emergency response, and is guided by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), the recognised peak professional body for allergy and anaphylaxis management in Australia and New Zealand.

 

TGA Approval: neffy® and Jext®

 

 

Two additional adrenaline devices neffy® and Jext® have now been approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The introduction of a new adrenaline-based nasal spray has been described as the biggest change in the anaphylaxis space in more than two decades.

It represents Australia’s first needle-free option for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions and is intended to provide greater choice for individuals at risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis.

What this Change Represents

  • A needle-free adrenaline option for anaphylaxis management.
  • A small, compact device designed for emergency use.
  • Expanded clinically appropriate choices for prescribers and individuals.

neffy® is a needle-free adrenaline nasal spray, while Jext® is a single-use adrenaline auto-injector. Both deliver adrenaline for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and may now appear on individual ASCIA Action Plans.

 

Regulatory and Prescribing Status

 

Both devices are:

  • Listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
  • Legally able to be prescribed and supplied by medical practitioners.
  • Eligible to be included on ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis.

neffy® is expected to be available from February as a Schedule 4 (prescription-only) medicine via private prescription, with an application for PBS listing submitted and consideration scheduled for March.

As with all adrenaline devices, prescribing decisions are made on an individual clinical basis.

 

ASCIA: The Peak Clinical Authority

 

All guidance in this update is informed by ASCIA, the authoritative, evidence-based peak body for allergy and anaphylaxis management in Australia. ASCIA:

  • Develops and maintains the ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis.
  • Provides nationally recognised guidance on the recognition and emergency management of anaphylaxis.
  • Is relied upon across schools, disability services, aged care, healthcare, and community settings.

ASCIA has updated its Action Plans to include device-specific versions referencing neffy® and Jext®, alongside established devices such as EpiPen® and Anapen®. This inclusion reflects regulatory approval, clinical evidence, and national consistency, not device familiarity or preference.

 

What This Means for Individuals and Services

 

The inclusion of neffy® and Jext® on ASCIA Action Plans means:

  • Some individuals may now have a different adrenaline device listed on their Action Plan.
  • Device selection remains clinically prescribed on an individual basis.
  • The ASCIA Action Plan continues to be the primary clinical document guiding emergency response.

What Has Not Changed?

Despite this significant development, the core principles of anaphylaxis management remain unchanged:

  • Early recognition of anaphylaxis.
  • Prompt administration of adrenaline.
  • Correct positioning prior to administration.
  • Immediate escalation to emergency services (000).

The delivery method may change. The emergency response framework does not.

 

Practical Recommendations for Services and Support Workers

Where a person supported by your service is prescribed a newer or less familiar adrenaline device, Medecs Learning recommends a measured, integrated approach:

  • Provide targeted, device-specific information to relevant staff, guided by the individual’s ASCIA Action Plan.
  • Ensure focused briefing or training for workers who may be required to respond to an anaphylaxis emergency.
  • Incorporate the device into existing anaphylaxis training and refresher programs.
  • Reinforce that ASCIA Action Plans override device familiarity, staff must follow the plan exactly as written.

This approach supports clinical safety, staff confidence, and policy alignment.

 

How Medecs Learning Is Responding

In line with our role as a clinical education leader, Medecs Learning has already introduced this change into our First Aid training programs. From March, assessment pathways will be expanded to include neffy®, once training devices are received, ensuring learners are:

  • Assessed against current, ASCIA-aligned practice.
  • Prepared to respond confidently when a needle-free adrenaline device appears on an individual’s Action Plan.
  • Supported to understand both what is different about the device and what remains clinically consistent in anaphylaxis management.

As with all Medecs Learning programs, the focus remains on evidence-based decision-making, safe emergency response, and clinical confidence. This proactive integration ensures learners and services are prepared in advance, rather than reacting after change occurs.

 

Reassurance for Boards, Executives, and Managers

For governance and leadership teams:

  • The presence of neffy® or Jext® on an ASCIA Action Plan reflects TGA approval and ASCIA inclusion, not a change in clinical risk.
  • Existing anaphylaxis policies and emergency response frameworks remain appropriate, provided they align with ASCIA guidance.
  • Training responses should be proportionate, embedded, and systematic, not reactive, or fragmented.

Strong clinical governance is demonstrated by calm, structured adaptation within evidence-based systems.

 

Authoritative Resources

 

Services are encouraged to refer directly to ASCIA for primary source guidance:

As new medications and delivery methods emerge, ASCIA remains the definitive reference point for evidence-based anaphylaxis management in Australia.

Services that align their policies, training and emergency response systems with ASCIA Action Plans can be confident they are meeting contemporary best practice and supporting safe outcomes when it matters most.

Need further guidance?

If you have questions about how this information applies to your organisation, workforce or participant supports, speak with the Medecs clinical team.

 

 

Deb Stone R.N.
Managing Director
Clinical Governance Director

 

 

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